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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Life's Little Ironies

Isn't it ironic that in search of simplicity--my ongoing Discardia and all--I seem to "need" more books about simplicity? (Mind you, I have books on the subject I bought in the 1960s...and 70s...and...)

A lifelong interest in Japan, China, and India and other ancient cultures makes one that a natural...combined with the simplicity and creativity of the people in this book, I find myself drawn to ancient craftsmanship all over again.

10 comments:

Oh Cathy, that is so much my problem too. I LOVE to read about things as well as reading fiction. But I pretty much solved my book problems by using the library for both physical and digital books. I almost never buy a new book unless it is impossible for me to read otherwise, then I either resell it or pass it on. And I sort of piggyback on my daughters' librarys (in other towns) for some of my digital books so I can usually find newly published books without any trouble.Also having trouble using your links....

I definitely use the library for most fiction and SOME non-fiction like cooking or nutrition. Art and meditation books I need to hold...sorry about the links! I think I know what the problem is, and I will try to fix them.

Yes I agree there are some books you must hold in your hands. I do have a collection of art and published sketchbooks that I love to hold and page through. These are my inspiration, pages to learn from....

Ah, yes, the only going challenge to swim against the current and simplify. It seems I take one step forward and two back sometimes, but I do think on the whole, I am clearing things out and simplifying bit by bit. Reading your posts does help motivate me over and over. I feel the same way about books... they are like friends, and I tend to keep them, while I cull many other items.

Yes, I know I am, Melissa...despite the recent new books and a couple of CDs.

Some books are easier to pass along--ones that didn't quite hit me, or referring to activities I no longer have time or abilities for. I have a lot of pottery books, for instance, and whereas I may keep a couple, I don't have a kiln or access to one easily any more. A LOT of natural history books, more than I need, and history books as well. I have a whole box To Go sitting here in my studio.

I've been passing along a lot of art supplies I don't need, as well...that's always fun! My sketchcrawl group gets a lot, friends do, people with children who deserve good materials, the schools...and even a few things selling on eBay.

I love my fountain pens, but I am culling them to the ones I really love and use often. Some are just pure pleasure. They stay. Some have a nice point but they're scratchy. Out of here...

Things that someone else can use and enjoy don't need to be cluttering up my space.

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About...

I think I was born with a crayon in my hand. My baby book has drawings done when I was two...you can almost tell what they are! (The hammer and the urge to build came later--I was 5 when I built my first wood and nails project.)
I've kept an artist's journal for decades, recording, celebrating, observing, learning, and sometimes coping with everyday life!
I've been a working artist for 35 years and more, and have written and illustrated 34 books. These include 9 for North Light Books and two art books for The Sierra Club. I make art almost every day--because I have to. It's me.

Making art is like breathing, to me. It's sustaining, it's healing, it's delight. It's how I celebrate; it's how I learn; it's how I show love, care, and respect; it's how I cope.

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This started out as my fine arts gallery blog, and I will still occasionally offer art or link to my Etsy shop...but for the most part it's about art and life and creativity. And cats, don't forget cats.

It is very important to me to put art into the hands of those who will enjoy it most, and I hope you will find something that pleases your soul, in your price range. All art is original unless otherwise stated, and all are available unless marked "sold."